Gossamer Gear Gorilla Ultralight Backpack Review

Bottom Line

The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 is one of our favorite ultralight backpacks, offering an impressive balance of comfort and minimal weight. After testing it for over 600 miles across varied terrain—from the rugged Spanish Pyrenees to the Pacific Crest Trail, Olympic Mountains, and Wonderland Trail—we found it excels at loads up to 25 pounds while providing features that enhance the hiking experience, like spacious hipbelt pockets, an innovative trekking pole attachment system, and an integrated sit pad.

The PVT frame and well-padded hipbelt deliver outstanding comfort for an ultralight pack, keeping it comfortable even when weighed down.

While the recycled robic nylon construction keeps weight low, it requires careful handling and additional waterproofing solutions. The unique two-step closure system may take some getting used to or a dealbreaker for some.

This pack offers excellent value for minimalist backpackers who primarily stick to established trails and prioritize weight savings. However, those planning frequent bushwhacks or requiring bombproof durability should consider more robust options from our guide to the best ultralight backpacks.

comfort

Despite its ultralight design, the Gorilla 50 is a soft and cushy pack that excels at managing heavier loads. The PVT frame system effectively transfers weight to the hips, and we found it remained comfortable even approaching its 30-pound max capacity. The padded hipbelt is stitched with breathable mesh over ample padding. 

The shoulder straps are constructed similarly, and they distribute weight evenly across the shoulders without creating pressure points, even after consecutive long days. Unlike some ultralight packs that sacrifice comfort for weight savings, the Gorilla 50 balances both beautifully.

One comfort issue worth noting: the edge of the back panel can create pack rash, particularly in hot weather. While this didn’t significantly impact our overall experience, it’s something to consider if you’re sensitive to pack rubbing. Despite this minor drawback, the Gorilla 50 delivers outstanding comfort for an ultralight pack, especially when loaded under 25 pounds.

Functionality

The Gorilla 50 incorporates several unique design elements that set it apart from most ultralight packs. Most notably, the closure system uses a distinctive two-step fold-top design. This enclosure is exclusive to Gossamer Gear and is a polarizing feature. It takes some getting used to and becomes intuitive with some practice, but it eliminates the option for a top strap. 

Another feature exclusive to Gossamer Gear is their version of trekking pole holders. The attachment points have been upgraded this year, providing much better security and ease of use than previous Gorilla models. 

One of the coolest design features is the removal sit pad integrated into the back panel.

The front mesh pocket provides generous storage for wet gear or items you need quick access to throughout the day. The side pockets strike a good balance between accessibility and security – while not the easiest to reach while wearing the pack, they’re manageable for grabbing water bottles on the go.

The Gorilla has two very satisfying hipbelt pockets. Made from a soft, pliable material, they’re notably spacious and easy to operate with one hand. We usually have no problem fitting a whole day’s worth of snacks in them. 

The inclusion of load lifters adds another layer of functionality, allowing you to dial in the fit and shift weight distribution as needed throughout your hike.

Water Resistance

The Gorilla 50 prioritizes lightweight performance over weather protection, which becomes evident the moment it starts raining. 

The recycled robic nylon is minimally resistant to water. During our testing, we noticed that water first breaches the seams and soaks through the fabric shortly thereafter. Water made it into the pack all over but was the worst on top. 

Unlike competitors using waterproof materials like Dyneema Composite Fabric, Gossamer Gear opts for softer, more pliable materials that enhance comfort and reduce weight but sacrifice water resistance. 

This design choice means you’ll need to add waterproofness with a pack liner or pack cover. Many experienced backpackers prefer using a pack liner regardless of their pack’s water resistance. 

Although the Gorilla 50 offers virtually no inherent protection from rain or water crossings, the robic nylon is very lightweight and dries quickly.

Construction

This pack is very lightweight, saving material reinforcement only where it is necessary – the bottom, straps, and hipbelt. The pack’s main body is constructed of 70 denier recycled robic nylon. Gossamer gear utilizes the 70D nylon on the parts of the pack that don’t see a lot of wear to shed weight.

 In places that see the most wear like the bottom panel, hip belt, shoulder straps, and the bottom of the front mesh pocket, 100D robic nylon is added to increase thickness and cut down on abrasion.

The areas most prone to wear are the mesh zones on the front pocket and the sit pad inserts. After several hundred miles of usage, we noticed some small holes and tears developing in the mesh.

Gossamer gear packs are best for on-trail, long-distance hikers as they prioritize weight savings over durability. To get the most out of these packs, they must be treated with care, taking caution when setting them down on the ground and stuffing items into the mesh pocket.

Should You Buy The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack?

The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 hits a sweet spot for ultralight backpackers who want a comfortable pack without the weight penalty.

Its PVT frame system and well-padded hipbelt comfortably carry loads up to 25-30 pounds, making it ideal for minimalist thru-hikers and weekend warriors alike. The pack offers thoughtful features like spacious hipbelt pockets, an innovative trekking pole attachment system, and a removable sit pad in the back panel.

This isn’t the pack for rough bushwhacking, dragging over scree, or consistently wet conditions. The lightweight robic nylon construction prioritizes weight savings over durability and water resistance, requiring careful handling and additional waterproofing solutions. The unique two-step closure system and delicate mesh pocket may also be deal breakers for some users.

For those who stick to established trails and appreciate minimalist design, the Gorilla 50 is an excellent value. It packs a ton of useful features into an affordable price point while keeping the overall weight low.

What Other Ultralight Backpacks Should You Consider?

If you’re after something a little more durable or water resistant, there are better options on our full guide to ultralight backpacking backpacks.

Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Review: The Mariposa is the big brother of the Gorilla 50. It utilizes the same materials and construction philosophies but is upgraded with 10 more liters of capacity and larger pockets throughout.

REI Flash Air 50 Review: If you’re not quite ready to commit to the ultralight style of Gossamer Gear packs, the REI Flash Air 50 is an excellent crossover pack with a super sturdy hipbelt and back panel. 

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Review: The HMG Southwest remedies most of the potential deal breakers of the Gorilla 50 but with fewer features. It’s supremely waterproof, has 5 more liters of volume, and a more traditional roll-top enclosure.